Putting on silver hoop earrings, I silently fought the desire to rip the dress off and undo the intricate hairdo that made me look pretty. Instead, I put the blasted armbands on and exited the bedroom. The gasp that echoed through the apartment had me itching to hide.
I peered at Onyx and Kaderyn from beneath my thick lashes as they slowly took in my appearance.
“It’s too much, right?” I inquired through trembling lips.
“You’re fucking hot,” Onyx stated pointedly.
Kaderyn snapped a photo with her phone, and I groaned. “Seriously, who knew you could look like this? You’re beautiful, Xariana. You’re fucking gorgeous.”
“What time is it?” I needed to get out from under the microscope.
“Time to go downstairs,” Onyx announced, handing me the coat that I’d left on the bed, which was also from Kieran. She walked toward me, wrapping it over my shoulders, then smiled, shaking her head. “He is going to come in his pants when he gets a look at you, girl.”
“I’d rather he not do that at all,” I muttered, allowing them to drag me from the room. The walk to the lower level was brisk and did nothing to alleviate the nerves rushing through me. My butterflies had their own, which had babies that were goofing off inside my stomach.
We walked into the control room, and everyone turned around, gawking at me as I passed through it, the extravagant heels clicking over the tiles. Kieran had known my size, and everything had fit me perfectly. It also didn’t help my level of uncomfortableness that I couldn’t wear panties because the slit in the gown literally went to my waist, revealing my hipbone.
“Jesus,” Noah whispered, his eyes huge and rounded as he looked me over.
“It’s over the top, right?” I fidgeted with the diamonds that tickled my arms.
“You look ethereal, Xari. Absolutely beautiful,” he said with something burning in his gaze. He stepped out of the way, and my eye slid to Micah, who swallowed hard, slowly dragging his eyes down my body.
“I have to go,” I stated, walking to the exit. I felt everyone behind me and knew they were following me out of the gates.
I entered the cool evening air and fought the emotions churning in my stomach. Refusing to look at the gate, I paused, coming up with a million reasons why I shouldn’t be leaving the compound. Everything inside of me said this was insane and that I’d end up right where I didn’t want to be tonight if I went.
“Damn,” Kieran’s deeply dark timbre caused my eyes to lift, finding him a few feet from the door. He pushed off the black SUV, slowly moving away from it as his gaze slid unhurriedly over every inch of my body.
I started to complain about Kieran being allowed inside the compound, but he opened the car door, holding it open for me. It wasn’t what I’d expected of him. Stepping carefully down the few stairs that led to the blacktop, I paused in front of him as his gaze searched my face. He smiled and looked over my head at the few people that had gathered behind us.
“I’ll have her back before dawn, gentlemen.”
“Return her the moment the gala is finished,” Micah sneered icily.
“Afraid she’ll be much later than that, little boy,” Kieran said in a cold tone that screamed serial killer.
He didn’t assist me into the vehicle right away, choosing to remove the shawl from around my shoulders. Once he’d set it on the console and collected my purse to add with it, he held his hand out for mine, helping me up into the SUV and closing the door. In three long strides, he appeared at the driver’s side, sliding into his seat.
“You’re stunning, Xariana,” he said softly, smiling wickedly before he turned the engine over and began backing up.
I glanced at the crew that watched us exiting the compound, my heartbeat pounding a thousand beats a minute, sending the blood racing to my ears, deafeningly so. Once we were beyond the gates, he started us toward downtown.
Kieran wore a black suit with a bowtie that was still untied. I felt his gaze on me, forcing me to peer in his direction. He smiled, his attention moving to the leg that had slipped out of the fabric when I’d sat down.
“I’m glad you changed your mind about going tonight,” he murmured.
“You didn’t give me much choice in the matter,” I returned, examining the way his eyes danced with mischief.
“You saved lives. You should be celebrating that you stayed my hand. Your friends have been allowed to live another night. Have you considered my proposal?”
I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. “I believe your terms were that you want to own me. I fail to see where there was a proposal in that statement, sir.”
“You will get my protection, and I will get you. It’s a good offer, little hunter. I was right. You’re very delicate without weapons and your silly vests covering your—assets. You really are an exquisite creature.”
“Thank you.” He barely looked at the road while barreling down it at an ungodly speed. Turning my attention away from him, I noted at least twelve similar SUVs behind us. “You brought security? Are you afraid you’ll be attacked tonight?” I couldn’t keep the hopeful tone out of my question.
“On the contrary. They’re here to ensure I don’t murder anyone who looks at you too long or inappropriately. I tend to be very possessive of my things.”
I blinked slowly, chewing my lip while working out an argument about how I didn’t belong to him inside my head. The moment I was about to object, he pushed a button on the steering wheel and turned on the radio. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC started, and my gaze slipped to him, watching his lips move as he sang the lyrics.
So I did what came naturally. I silently sang along. It’s just what you did when you heard Malcolm Young. His music was contagious and stirred the need to sing the familiar song. After several minutes, Kieran exited the freeway and into a posh part of town. We pulled up next to a tall building, and I glanced at it quickly before narrowing my stare at him as he smiled.
“There was a minimum three-month waitlist at this restaurant,” I stated cautiously. “They won’t permit us in here without having reservations.” Instead of answering me, Kieran exited and appeared at my door before I’d had time to open it.
“Allow me, gorgeous,” he murmured, holding out his hand to help me from the SUV.
I eyed him suspiciously while allowing him to help me out. He smirked, tilting his head as if I was the one acting off. Once he closed the door, he reached over me, forcing my body back as his lips brushed my ear.
“You look good enough to devour, woman. I’m anxious to know how the dress looks off of you tonight,” he purred, backing up with my shawl and purse in his hand.
“That’s not happening, Kieran,” I whispered breathlessly.
“It’s not happening—yet,” he said offhandedly, winking at me before he turned, staring at the shadows. “Ender, ensure no one touches Xariana. I’m sorry, but you’ll need to excuse me for a moment, beautiful. I have something that needs my attention.”
I watched him tie his bowtie as he walked away to the darkened alley, where the woman that had used me for target practice stood, glaring at me. If looks were lethal, I’d be dead. Striding away from the vehicle, I looked back to find the guard that had been in attendance for my lackluster quickie that had ended in murder.